http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/18/p...uel-cell-fleet

Chevrolet To Launch World's Largest Fuel Cell Vehicle Fleet
More Than 100 to Debut in 2007 in First Meaningful Market Test of Fuel Cell Vehicles

SAN DIEGO – General Motors committed to building the world's largest fuel cell vehicle fleet today by announcing its next-generation fuel cell vehicle – the Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell.

GM will build more than 100 Chevrolet Equinox Fuel Cell vehicles and will begin placing them with customers in the fall of 2007, as part of a comprehensive deployment plan dubbed "Project Driveway." Designed to gain comprehensive learnings on all aspects of the customer experience, Project Driveway constitutes the first meaningful market test of fuel cell vehicles anywhere. A variety of drivers – in differing driving environments – will operate these vehicles and refuel with hydrogen in three geographic areas: California, the New York metropolitan area and Washington D.C.

"General Motors is demonstrating its commitment to hydrogen fuel cells as the answer for taking the automobile out of the environmental debate and reducing our dependence on petroleum," said Larry Burns, GM vice president, research & development and strategic planning. "The Equinox Fuel Cell is powered by GM's most advanced fuel cell propulsion system to date, and demonstrates an important milestone on our pathway to automotive-competitive fuel cell propulsion technology development."

Enabled by GM's fourth-generation fuel cell propulsion system, the Equinox Fuel Cell is a fully-functional crossover vehicle, engineered for 50,000 miles of life. Importantly, the Equinox Fuel Cell is able to start and operate in sub-freezing temperatures during its 50,000-mile life. It is expected to meet all applicable 2007 U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and is equipped with a long list of standard safety features including driver and passenger frontal air bags and roof rail side-impact air bags; anti-lock braking system (ABS); StabiliTrak stability enhancement technology and OnStar, while providing all of the environmental benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology.

"The Equinox Fuel Cell is a real-world vehicle with real-world performance," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "The fuel cell technology is seamlessly integrated into a uniquely styled crossover vehicle that is distinctively Chevrolet. The Equinox Fuel Cell joins Chevrolet's family of advanced gas-saving and alternative fuel vehicles."

The Project Driveway market test will provide comprehensive insight into all aspects of the customer experience, including reaction to the exciting, smooth and quiet performance of a fuel cell vehicle, and refueling with clean hydrogen gas. "These learnings will directly influence future fuel cell vehicle generations and ultimate market acceptance," Peper said. "With Chevrolet being GM's global volume brand, it makes sense that Chevy will lead GM's fuel cell vehicle commercialization charge."

 

50000 mile life? how much to get a new cell after that? why cant we just burn hydrogen in a real engine like BMW's new 7 series.

 

Is the Bimmer even on the road yet? If not, let's see what they do..

 

So I wonder if they will go the way of the EV1s...

 

cool. Glad to see progress. 50,000 seems small, but for a test group of cars, thats not too bad. Can't expect hundreds of thousands to be put on test cars.

 

very cool! 50,000 out of one fuel cell seems pretty damn good less Im missing something. To not have to fuel up for 50,000 be clean and efficent. HUMMER needs this now. I just hope that next fuel cell isnt too expensive. This is the edge GM needs... alot of money went into this.

 

i think that mean 50000 miles for the system and you would still have to fill up with hydrogen at a somewhat normal rate. someone correct me if im wrong.

 

You'll have to refuel on a regular basis at at hydrogen refueling station.
After 50,000 miles the vehicle will have to be returned to GM. There's no costly way to replace the fuel cell propulsion system at this time.

More importantly, you'll probably have to go to a specialty repair center that is equipped and trained to do maintenance/repairs.

I'm still not convinced its the most cost effective alternative. But its a start.